JP4082569B2 - Contact switch layout and contact switch control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The touch switch layout (11) has several selection switches (14a-14d) grouped around a common control switch (13). The selection switches select the electric loads, based on the preset electric power. <??>An Independent claim is included for touch switch control method.

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical appliance having a contact switch. The invention also relates to a method for controlling a contact switch .
[0002]
[Related technologies]
Such a contact switch layout is advantageously used for appliances having several electrical loads. The electrical load can be adjusted with respect to its electrical output. This can be selected for output setting or control to be performed by a selection switch.
[0003]
Such known contact switch layouts also have selection switches for electrical loads and positive and negative buttons for output settings. This means that from the point of view of the control means, each of the three contact switches requires a very complex electrical load.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention, labor and can be manufactured without spending ensures high operational reliability and safety, and to provide a control method of an electric appliance and its having a contact switch.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
This problem is solved by an electrical appliance having a contact switch according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 7. Advantageous and preferred further refinements of the invention form the subject of further claims and are explained in more detail hereinafter. The wording of the claims is explicitly referred to in the description.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
According to the invention, the selection switch can be used for a specific electrical load for these, for example in addition to or simultaneously with the output setting in the positive or negative direction. First, in order to select a specific load, output setting is performed so that the selection switch is operated in a short time. By operating the same selection switch again, it is possible to change the output, for example in the form of an increased output. Reference should also be made to the following description of the method according to the invention. Thus, only a maximum of two switches per load are required. Thus, it is possible to save one switch for the layout of the contact switch, which provides a significant advantage in terms of manufacturing and operational reliability.
[0007]
According to a preferred development of the invention, a common setting or control switch can be provided for several electrical loads for output setting in the other direction compared to that of the selection switch. This makes it possible to further reduce the number of contact switches, ie individual selection and output control switches in one direction and a common control switch for setting the output in the other direction. Thus, for a specific electrical load, it is only necessary to provide a single, individual or specific selection switch apart from a common control switch. This is particularly preferred for all electrical loads of the appliance.
[0008]
In order to facilitate operation and control, particularly with one hand, selection switches and individual switches can be grouped around at least one common control switch. This is particularly advantageous if it is polygonal, corresponding to the number of selection switches. Regular polygons are considered advantageous both optically and in terms of control. Preferably, a contact switch is provided at each corner of the polygon. The contact switches should not be too far apart and are advantageously approximately the same. For an adult, one hand can operate up to a distance of 15 cm, and a distance of approximately 5 cm is particularly ergonomic. In this case, simultaneous operation of the central control switch and at least one selection switch as a safety lockout for undesired operations is possible.
[0009]
An optical or visual display means for displaying the status of a particular electrical load, i.e. the switch state, can be associated with the selection switch. Preferably, an individual display means is associated with each selection switch. According to a further development of the invention, the display means may have several different functions, especially for electrical loads. These functions can be, for example, output display, hot display and / or programming performed. Depending on the activation LED, the particular different display and the display mode of the display means, differences may be provided between different functions. For example, there may be different frequencies of flashing or different brightness levels.
[0010]
According to the development of the present invention, at least two electrical loads are operable and can be adjusted with respect to a specific criterion, preferably its output. For this purpose, the layout of the contact switch can have at least three contact switches, which are preferably arranged around a central point or region, preferably in a regular or uniform layout. . The display means for displaying the load state can thus be arranged in the layout area of the contact switch (touch switch or contact switch) or in the center dot area. They are advantageously configured so that the state of several loads can be displayed alternately.
[0011]
Display means for displaying the status of some or all loads are basically possible. Preferably, for ease of operation, the load status display should be performed alternately because each load status is represented simultaneously in each case. Thus, it is a major advantage of the present invention that a single display means is provided for several loads, reducing the cost for further display means. It is important to keep this spending down, because not only the components themselves, but also the possible possible control savings are possible. It also allows the printed circuit board that supports the layout to be kept smaller and simpler.
[0012]
The replacement of the display can be done automatically with one hand or following time intervals for different loads. Conveniently, only those loads that are activated are displayed.
[0013]
In turn, a status display of a particular contact switch is obtained as desired or adjusted. For this purpose, there can be a change to an indication of this load status, for example by a single operation of the contact switch for each load.
[0014]
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, control is created for a hob with several, especially four hot plates. At the central point or area, the same LED display can be provided along with a common power control switch. A selection switch may be provided for each hot plate in a substantially rectangular arrangement with respect to this central point. These selection switches have a complementary function to the common output control switch. If, for example, the output can be reduced with a common output control switch, it can be increased as an output control function with the individual selection switches, and vice versa.
[0015]
An indication of the particular contact switch or load that the central display means is currently in operation can be advantageously made by means of a display associated with each contact switch. In a simple way, this can be for example an LED. It is possible to use different emission intensities and possible blinking frequencies as general activation indications and as selection indications for specific touch switches and associated loads.
[0016]
In a simple embodiment, the display means can comprise at least one filament lamp or LED. Preferably, there are several LEDs arranged in a straight line, bar, or arc shape.
[0017]
Alternatively or additionally, the display means has several segment displays. Such a combination of alphabets and numbers allows a figure or most characters to be displayed in a clear and readily readable form to display more information.
[0018]
The control method of the contact switch according to the present invention provides selection of the electrical load by simple contact of the contact switch or sensor surface. By touching again, the electrical output can be set in a specific direction so that the touch switch can be easily operated and the electrical load applied.
[0019]
In other directions, similar characteristics of the output and electrical load can be adjusted with additional contact switches. This further contact switch does not necessarily require a selection function, thus the means can be made simpler.
[0020]
Preferably, there is a contact switch for setting the output in the other direction in cooperation with several loads. One load can be selected by a selection switch for a specific output setting in each case. The output can then be adjusted.
[0021]
Switching of an additional load associated with a selected load in an electric hob hot plate, eg, an additional heater, can be performed by setting the maximum output stage for that load. Conventionally, such additional heaters are configured as two-circuit heaters. This is followed by a further increase in the electrical output so that an additional load is activated by operating the corresponding contact switch. A reduction in output or a complete switch-off of the load can lead to inactivity.
[0022]
These and further configurations may be provided in the claims, the detailed description and the drawings, and in the individual configurations. It can also be implemented in aspects and other fields of the invention, either simply or in subcombination form. It can be represented in an advantageous and independently protectable configuration where protection is claimed here. Subdivisions into individual sections and subtitles of the present application do not limit the general validity of the expressions made below.
[0023]
【Example】
FIG. 1 shows a layout 11 of contact switches, and FIG. 2 shows the operation state thereof. It has several contact switches, namely an ON-OFF switch 12, a central negative or negative switch 13, and a select / plus or positive switch 14a-d grouped around the negative switch 13. Each of the contact switches 12 to 14a-d is represented, and is imprinted on an upper portion of a contact surface (also referred to as a contact surface or a touch surface) 15. In the illustrated system, this is provided in the area of the glass ceramic hob provided with the imprint. These selection and positive switches 14a-d represent the four hot points of the hob, which are shown as dots with respect to the cross or plus sign.
[0024]
The ON-OFF switch 12 has an operable LED 16 that lights when the hob is switched on. No display is associated with the central negative switch 13. In the form of bar LEDs 18a-d arranged in a circular arc with the selection LEDs 17a-d, the display means are associated with individual selection switches. These are further subdivided into three areas, as suggested by the thin lines that can be printed on.
[0025]
On the right side, the selection switches 14c and 14d additionally have two-circuit LEDs 19c and 19d, which indicate an activated two-circuit or additional heater for a particular hot plate. Such a two-circuit heater is known, for example, as an extended cooking or heating zone.
[0026]
As the contact switch, a conventional contact switch, that is, optical property, capacitive property, or the like can be used. The touch switch may have a touch sensitive sensor surface. A contact switch whose control is capacitive is used in a preferred manner, for example as described in EP 895468.
[0027]
FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary contact switch layout 111 similar to that of FIG. The operating state is shown in FIG. 4 and is located on the contact surface 15. An imprint is provided in the latter area. The layout 111 includes several contact switches, namely an ON-OFF switch 12 as in FIG. 1, a central negative or negative switch 13, and a 4 selection / plus or positive switch 14a-d grouped around the negative switch. Have. The individual contact switches 12 to 14a-d are once again represented by a corresponding print-on decoration on top of the contact surface 15.
[0028]
In a variant of this embodiment, the positive and negative switches are interchangeable, in this case the central positive switch.
[0029]
A display 118 as a display means is associated with the central negative switch 13 in the switch layout 14. The central display 118 is composed of six LEDs 119 arranged in an arc. The LEDs 119 can be individually controlled in a random manner. They can also be advantageously modified with respect to their brightness, or can be operated in a flashing manner. Two circuit LEDs 20c and 20d are provided for each state in the center region on the left and right of the negative switch 13, and these are the two circuit heaters of the hot plate belonging to the switches 14c and 14d being switched on. Used to display something in a known manner.
[0030]
Also, the selection LEDs 17a-d are associated with each selection / positive switch 14a-d. The selection LED indicates whether the hot plate associated with a given contact switch 14 is active.
[0031]
The contact switch can be a conventional contact switch, i.e. optical, capacitive, etc. A particularly advantageous capacitive contact switch together with its control is described, for example, in EP 895468, which provides a clear reference.
[0032]
The working contact switch layout 11 and the method of operating or controlling the hob controlled by it can be as follows. First, the ON-OFF switch 12 is operated by contact or use of a finger. Then, by operating the random selection switch 14, a hot plate can be selected, which means that it is next ready for output setting or control. With further operation of the given selection switch 14, it immediately functions as a positive switch, increasing the hot plate output in turn. In the layout according to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are five stages. Further subdivision and grading are possible. This can be indicated by the number of LEDs corresponding to the heating stage. Furthermore, it is possible to set the brightness level of each LED to the highest level or blinking operation.
[0033]
It is also possible to automatically pass from the function of the selection switch to that of the positive switch, with the application to the contact switch being continued for a few seconds.
[0034]
After the output setting is performed or immediately after reaching the first output stage, the control means of the contact switch arrangement 11 operates the corresponding heater. By operating the selection switch 14, the associated selection LED 17 is activated and lit.
[0035]
In the case of select / positive switches 14c and d with an associated two-circuit heater, the highest output stage is set to operate this heater. By operating the positive switch again, the control recognizes this “over-switching” as a two-circuit heater tripping and activates it accordingly. This operation is indicated by the lighting of the corresponding two-circuit LED 19.
[0036]
The above selection of hot plate causes a reduction in power. With a corresponding operation of the central negative switch 13, the output can be reduced in the same way as increasing it. When the output stage reaches zero, the heater is stopped or switched off. The corresponding hot plate continues to be selected. In this way, it is also possible to switch off the two-circuit heater, for example.
[0037]
Output increases and decreases can occur by a corresponding number of touch switch operations and switching processes, respectively. The continuous operation can be performed by using the touch switch or using the finger.
[0038]
The switching states of the four hot plates in FIG. 2 are as follows. The hot plate associated with the selection switch 14a is selected. See selection LED 17a brightened. An output stage 4 is set, which is represented by four bright LEDs on the bar LED display 18a.
[0039]
In the case of a hot plate associated with the switch 14b, the corresponding display 18b functions as a hot display and shows the state of stage 1 or remaining heat. No hot plate is selected.
[0040]
In the case of the hot plate of the selection switch 14c, the hot display on the display 18c is in the second position and is therefore on a higher stage. In this way, the user knows the different residual heat of the hot plate via a stepped hot display. It may be a finer step with several LEDs provided for this purpose and different display types.
[0041]
The hot plate of the selection switch 14d is not selected but is activated, i.e. in the output stage 3. The bright two-circuit LED 19d indicates that the two-circuit heater is switched on.
[0042]
The advantageous method of operation or control, which is arranged to correspond to the layout 111 of the contact switch according to FIG. As a variant, the present invention has a central display and this function is described below.
[0043]
In FIG. 4, the LED 16 indicates that the contact switch layout 111 and the hob controlled thereby are in an operating state. The left selection LED 17a and the upper hot plate, ie, the selection / positive switch 14a, are weakly lit, indicating that the hot plate is in an operating state. The upper right and lower left hot plates are not in operation.
[0044]
The lower right hot plate belonging to the selection switch 14d has a selection LED 17d and is very brightly lit, which is indicated by an additional line. In this embodiment, this is the hot plate 14d in the operating state, and the center display 18 indicates the state of this hot plate.
[0045]
The first five LEDs of the central display 111 starting from the left are lit brightly. In the simple case, this means that stage 5 of the 6 possible stages is set, which in FIG. 2 is related to the hot plate of the selection switch 14d. The two-circuit LEDs 20c and 20d are not lit. This clarifies that the two-circuit heater belonging to the selection switch 14d is not operating. The possibility of operation of this two-circuit heater has been described above.
[0046]
In FIG. 4, as can be seen from the selection LED 17d on the lower right side that is very brightly lit, the display 118 displays the state of the hot plate. Changing the display 118 to the state of another hot plate, ie, another activated hot plate, eg, the upper left hot plate, can be done automatically or manually at a particular time. .
[0047]
Manual changes can be made in a simple manner in which the contact switch 14a is operated as a selection switch within its capacity. It always has the function of this selection switch before the first operation. Therefore, the control of the contact switch layout 111 varies across the state of this hot plate and is indicated by the display 118. At the same time, the selection 17a changes from normal brightness to a very bright state, to indicate this hot plate selection with respect to the display 118. Conversely, the selection LED 17d changes from a very bright state to a normal or lower brightness state, which is not yet indicated by the display 118, although the associated hot plate is active. It means that.
[0048]
In the same sense as above, it is possible to construct a display of all four activated hot plates.
[0049]
It is also possible to use different display possibilities of the LEDs, for example different brightness steps or different frequency flashes. These possibilities can be advantageously combined with the present invention.
[0050]
As described as a variation of the contact switch layout 11 or 111, the functions of the select / positive switches 14a-d and the central negative switch 13 are interchangeable. In this case, there is a central positive switch and individual selection and negative switches. For ease of operation, it is more appropriate to do this as simply and as quickly as possible when operating the hot plate to combine the selection function with the positive function. Obviously, such a contact switch layout can be advantageously combined with known contact switch layouts and control methods.
[0051]
To increase operational reliability and safety, the selection of a specific hot plate can be automatically stopped after a few seconds. This ensures, for example, that the switch state of a switch belonging to a particular hot plate does not change after a few minutes as a result of an unexpected operation. For example, a valid selection for a particular hot plate can be automatically stopped after 5 to 10 seconds. The selected state is retained. Accordingly, the selection LED 17 stops lighting.
[0052]
What is safe for children can be provided by the simultaneous operation of several, preferably two touch switches. It is conceivable to operate the ON-OFF switch and the central negative switch at the same time. That the safe means for the child is operating can be indicated by the flashing of the ON-OFF LED 16. It is also possible to deactivate the safe means for the child via simultaneous operation of the two switches.
[0053]
Alternatively, if a hot plate is not selected, a safe means for the child can be activated by operating the negative switch 13. However, it is necessary to wait for an automatic reset of hot plate selection. This is because there is no possibility of manual resetting of selections with this concept. By simultaneously operating the negative switch as a selection switch, there is the possibility of further activation and deactivation.
[0054]
Thus, in an embodiment of the present invention, a contact switch arrangement can be created for a hob with several hot plates. For each of these hot plates, a separate selection switch is provided, which can increase the output. There is also a simple and common contact switch that reduces the output of all hot plates. The separate selection contacts can be arranged in a regular polygon. A typical contact switch is located in the center. With the associated method according to the present invention, only the output of the selected hot plate can be modified and reduced when operating a general power setting switch. Increasing the output of the hot plate is done by a short operation of the selection switch as selection and its resumption operation as increase, which functions as an output increase switch. Obviously, the function can be reversed.
[0055]
In the vicinity of the negative switch and in the region between the selection switches, the display may be provided with several arched LEDs. The display can show several hot plate states alternately, and according to an advantageous embodiment, only a single hot plate state is shown at any moment. The display on another hot plate is changed by a simple operation of the selection switch.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the layout of a contact switch according to the present invention for a hob with four hot plates.
2 is the layout of FIG. 1 in an operating state.
FIG. 3 is another conceptual diagram of a layout of a contact switch having a general function.
4 is the layout of FIG. 3 in an operating state.
[Explanation of symbols]
11, 111 Layout 12 ON-OFF switch 13 Negative switch 14a-d Select / Positive switch 15 Contact surface 16, 119 LED
17 Selection LED
18, 118 Center display 18a-d Bar LED display

Claims (10)

An electrical appliance having several electrical loads and a contact switch comprising at least one selection switch having a selection function, wherein the electrical output of some electrical loads can be set to a high output or a low output direction by an output setting. Yes, each electrical load can be selected by at least one selection switch for which the output setting is performed, and in addition to this selection function, the selection switch can be used for a specific one of the unidirectional electrical loads. An electrical appliance having a configured contact switch. 2. An appliance having a contact switch according to claim 1, wherein a common control switch for several electrical loads is provided for setting the output in the other direction. The appliance having a contact switch according to claim 2, wherein the selection switch is arranged to be grouped around at least one common control switch. An optical display means for displaying the status or switching state of one selection switch is associated with the selection switch, and an individual display means for displaying the status or switching state is associated with each selection switch, The electric appliance having a contact switch according to claim 1, wherein the display means has several functions. There are at least three selection switches, at least two of which are regularly arranged with respect to the central point, the display means is located in an area within the layout of the contact switch, and the state of some electrical loads is determined by the display means The electric appliance which has the contact switch of Claim 4 currently displayed alternately. Constructed for control of hobbs with several hotplates, the central area is provided with a common control switch and LED display for setting its output, and a central in each regular arrangement of hotplates An electrical appliance having a contact switch according to claim 1, wherein a selection switch is provided around the point, which has a complementary output setting function.   A method for controlling at least one contact switch for an appliance having at least one electrical load, wherein the electrical output of the electrical load is configurable by an output setting in the direction of high or low output, A method for controlling a contact switch, wherein an electric load is selected by a single operation of the switch, and an electric output of the electric load is set in a single direction by further operation of the contact switch.   The method according to claim 7, wherein the output of the electrical load is set in the other direction by a further contact switch, the further contact switch having no selection function. A contact switch for setting the electrical output in the other direction is provided as a common contact switch for several electrical loads, and at least one electrical switch precedes the operation and output setting of the common contact switch. The method of claim 8, wherein a load is selected. The at least one electrical load is a plurality of electrical loads, and one of the electrical loads is associated with an additional electrical load, the highest output stage for the selected electrical load as described above. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein additional electrical loads associated with the selected electrical load are switched by setting and subsequently setting a higher output stage .

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